Study Abroad
Global citizenship is a hallmark of the UNCW educational experience. To date, the university offers more than 600 approved education abroad programs in more than fifty countries around the globe. Each education abroad experience could last from as short as a week to as long as two years. While most students will study abroad during their sophomore or junior years, UNCW’s education abroad advisors work closely with students to find the programs that best meet a student’s interests, needs, and major, carefully cultivating credit-bearing coursework abroad.
UNCW students have the option to participate in one of two distinct opportunities for education abroad:
- Student Exchange -- a student pays UNCW tuition and other expenses to their host university
- Study Abroad -- a student either pays tuition to their host institution or a program fee which typically includes such expenses as tuition, fees, housing, excursions, etc.
Depending on a student’s individual situation and any number of other considerations, an Exchange program may be a better fit than a Study Aboard program and vice versa. Again, UNCW’s education abroad advisors will help find the program that best meets every student’s needs.
Once a student has gained admission to an education abroad program, a number of resources are available to UNCW students. First, the Office of International Programs will hold a pre-departure orientation for all students participating in an education abroad experience (this is mandatory for any student studying for a semester or longer abroad). This orientation covers the nuts and bolts of education abroad: health and safety, culture shock, academic expectations, etc.
Next, in regards to financing your experience, aid is available! In addition to federal financial aid (which can be applied to any of our 500+ approved education abroad programs), the university also awards a number of education abroad grants and scholarships for UNCW-sponsored programs. The Office of International Programs will also help students to coordinate work and volunteer activities in their host country!
Finally, UNCW even has an official United States Passport Acceptance Agency on-campus.
From their initial education abroad interest session to their return from lands far away, the university will work with students every step of the way to ensure they have a rewarding, worthwhile experience in their quest to become global citizens.
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